The ICL DRS was a range of departmental computers from International Computers Limited (ICL). Standing originally for Distributed Resource System, the full name was later dropped in favour of the abbreviation.

During the mid 1980s separate Office Systems business units had produced a disparate range of products including IBM-compatible PCs such as the PWS (an PC AT Clone), small servers branded DRS, and various larger Unix servers sold under the Clan range. A rebranding in late 1988 pulled these together under the DRS brand, with a consistent mid grey and peppermint green livery. The ICL division responsible for these systems eventually became part of the Fujitsu-Siemens joint venture.

The DRS M15 bridges the gap between terminals and PCs by providing business graphics and multi tasking, with the press of a button a new application could start to run, while leaving the previous programme running in the background. Up to four applications could be running at one time. Presentation facilities, and a second graphics co processor, means less reliance on server power.

The applications are menu driven, and the machine could be cabled up to a thousand metres, or via RS232.

Our machine came with the kind generosity of Satherley Design Associate, who were involved with its industrial design.

Manufacturer: ICL
Date: 1988

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH55488. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

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